Gas-engine



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J. CHARTER.

GAS ENGINE. No. 270,202. Patented Jan. 9,1883.

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' GAS ENGINE. A

Patented Jan. 9, 1883.

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J. CHARTER.

GAS ENGINE.

Patented Jan. 9

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QU ZM INVENTOR WITNESSES 995W? www y UNTTED STATES PATENT Ormea.

JOHN CHARTER, OF STERLING, ILLINOIS.

GAS-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 270,202, dated January 9, 1883.

i Application filed July 5, 1882. (No model.) t 4 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, JOHN CHARTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sterling, in the county of Whiteside and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Engines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as Will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the 'accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specielevation of a machine' embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plait view ofthesaine. Fig. isasectionalelevation longitudinally through the center ot' the machine. Fig. 4 is an end view of the circular case F. Fig. 5 is a crosssectional view ot' the plate Gin the line x wot' Fig. 3, having within it the rotating cylinder containing the annular chargingchambers K K K K. Fig. 6 is a detached inside view of the two plates M and J, the former heilig exhibited within the latter in dotted lines. Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse sectional View of the platinum igniter and its adjacent parts. Fig. t5 is a sectional plan view ot the same igniter. Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical sectional View ofthe gas-jet igniter. Fig. l() is a sectional plan view ofthe last above. Fig. 11 is an enlarged View of the working-cylinder A and the devices for admitting and expelling the gaseous mixture in the process ot' compressing the same preparatory to explosion.

A is the motive cylinder, having within it the cylindrical chamber A, within which latteris litted and operates the piston C. (Shown in Fig. 3 at the limit ot' its instroke.)

B is the piston rod or shaft, attached by` means of the yoke B to the crank D' ot' the revolving shaft or axle D, to which latter the balance or tly Wheel E is'afxed. The outer end of the piston-rod B plays in the stationplate, are successively brought into conjunction with and removed trom the inner open end ofthe chamberA. The rotating cylinder has its center of motion or axis below the cyl- 65 inder A. By the deviceshereiuafter described each chamber K is successively charged with an explosive mixture of air and gas iunnediately before being carried to conjunction with the open inner end ot' the chamber A', and 7o such mixture is there ignited and discharged into the chamber A ofthe cylinder A and behind the piston (J.

In Fig. l1 will be seen an enlarged view of the devices for feeding the air and gas in prop- 73 er proportions into the chamber A preparatory to compression. As the piston U passes to the position of its extreme instroke, as shown in Fig. 3, air is drawn into the chamber A' through the tube lt and gas through the tube 8o 9. Such air and gas, by virtue of thesuction from the piston C, raise thev automatic valve i and pass together' through the opening j into the chamber A. Under the val vez' is provided au annular recess or chamber, g', which is an 85 extension of the tube g and surrounds the tube h, and, with the latter, is clos-ed and opened t by the valve 'a'. Thus both of the tubes g and h are opened and closed simultaneously and by but one valve. When the piston O has 9o reached the end of its instroke, as shown in Fig. 3, the chamber A of the cylinder A is tilted with a mixture of air and gas of ordinary density,and insuch proportions as may be desired. A discharge then takes place against 495 the opposite or inner end of the piston U from the contents of one ot the chambers K previously charged. As the piston (l passes to the end ot' its outstroke the mixture of air and gas in the chamber A', as aforesaid, is forced roo out of such chamber through the'openingj and through the upwardlyopening valve k into the tubef, and by means of t-helatterland through the outerfplate, G, into the chamber K under the desired compression, such chamber K being the one to be next discharged. The extent of the compression will be governed by the proportionate capacity ofthe chamber A and that of the chamber K, supplemented by the communicating-tube f. The downwardlyclosing valvedrops to its seat the instant the piston C reaches the end of its instroke, and is held closed by the force oi' expulsion during the passage through the valve k ofthe mixed air and gas from the chamber A. After the mixture has been driven into the tube fand chamber K, as aforesaid, through the medium ot' the valve k, the latter closes and the piston C, on its return, opens the valve 'i to admit into the chamber A another quantum ot' proportioned gas and air. The relative proportion of the gas and air in such supply can be readily controlled by check valves in the tubes g and h.v

There is one explosion to each revolution of the axle D, eat-h explosion driving the piston C to its outward limit, and the momentum ot' the y wheel E returning such piston to the end ot' its instroke.

The rotating cylinder is rotated and the charges in the chambers K therein are successively tired as follows: The pin L passes loosely through the plates Gr, J, and M, While the rotatingr cylinder is rigidly attached to the pin L and revolves With it. A rod, e, is eccentric-ally connected to the axle D, and pivotally attached at its inner end to the arm l ot' the vertical rock-shaft W'. (See Figa.) The other arm, 2, ot' the rock-shalt W is pivotally attached at its outer end tothe connectingarm V. yThe inner end ot' the arm Vis pivotally attached to an oscillating' lever, P, which, on the outside ofthe plate G, is titted around and oscillates upon the pin L. A ratchet wheel, w, having ratchets w', is rigidly aiixed tothe pin L.

A pawl, t, is so located on the lever P as to engage ratchets w', and at each alternateaction lof the lever P to partiallyrotate the wheel fw, and with it the pin L and rotating cylinder. The ratchetsw are placed at such intervals and the oscillation of the lev'erP is of such degree as to revolve the rotating cylinder onefourth of a revolution at each upward action of the lever P, or, in other words, to remove -one chamber K from conjunction with the chamber A in the cylinder A and bring the next succeeding chamber K into such conjunction in a position to be ignited.

In order to ignite the charge in the chamber K when the latter is rotated-to a position in which it virtually forms a prolongation of the chamber A,'I make the following provision: To the outside ot' the plate G, and directly in the rear of the chamber K when the latter is in position to be discharged, I attach the casing 3, having transversely through it the hole 4. In the hole 4. plays the slide S, shaped to conform to such hole. The slide S is actuated longitudinally by the connecting-arm R, one end of which is fastened pivotally to the end ot' the slide S a-nd the other end fastened in like 6,Fig.l0,madc lengthwise in the center ot the slide S, and which channel 6 communicates with the. port 7, passing transversely through the slide S. (See Figs. 7, 8,9, and 10;) At

the outstroke of the slide S the port 7., Which registers alternately at each end, communi- Cates, through a transverse port, 8, in the out- I side ot' the casing 3, with an ordinary gas-jet, 9, and at the instroke of the slide S the other end of the port 7 communicates, through a. transverse port, 10, on the inside of the casing 3, and through port 11 in plate G andport (t in the back wall of' the chambers K, with the charge in that one of the chambers K which is then in position for beingignited. The mixed gas and air is supplied to the bag Z by tho pipe l, which communicates with the pipef at 12. (See Fig. l.) As the mixed air and gas in pipe f is under pressure, the amount, and therelore the pressure, of such mixture admitted to the bag Z is regulated byacheckvvalve, m, in the pipe l, Fig. 1. The mixed gas and air enters the channel 6 and port7 in the slide S the instant such slideisat the end of its outstroke. Such mixtureis there ignited b vcomingin contact with the gas-jetQ. (A wire-gauze or flame check at the intersection of the channel 6 and port 7' prevents the liame from passing into the gas-bag Z.) When the slide S has passed to the end ot' its instroke', the channel 6 and port 7, being meanwhile cut oi from the ports 5 and 8, communicate, through the ports 10, 11, and a, with the mixture in the chamber K to be ignited, and the flame causes a discharge. By using the mixture ot' gas and air to carry the llame from the gasjet 9 to the discharging-chamber K the ame is fed and kept by the oxygen in the mixture, though for a moment cut oft' from the outside atmosphere. The gas-jet 9 is placed in the chamber 0, and a horizontal hole, o', and vertical hole othere in furnish air for such jet and means of lighting the same.

The mode of ignition which I have heretofore described is that exhibited in Figs. 9 and l0. In Figs. 7 and 8 is sh'oWn a manner of ignition somewhat different, and which consists in dispensing With the gas-jet 9, port 5, and channel 6, and in bringing the tube l from the bag Z to the same elevation as the port 8 in the casing 3, Fig. 1, and projecting a llame, 13, into the outer end ot' the transverse port 8 in the slide S. One or more pieces of platinum are suitably placed in the port 7, and are heated by the ilame 13 at the outstroke of the slide S, and at the instroke of such slide ignite the chargein the chamber K through the medium of the gaseous mixture forced from the chatn-l ICO IIO

` explosion the chamber K last discharged. is

revolved or removed from conjunction with the chamber Al and to lineal communication with theopening N in plates M and J, and N' in plate G, and thereby with the outer air. By this means each chamber K, after an explosion therein, is at once Washed out and cooled o" by fresh air, and little or no Water is required. After each explosion the instroke of the piston (l vforces the burned gases out of the. chamber A through the exhaust-port u. The exhaust-port n communicates with the outer air through the medium of the chamber Lin which is seated the in wardly-opening positive valve d', Fig. 3. The valve d is raised to permit the esca-peor' the residnum of combustion by means of the sind y on the horizontal rock-shaft y. The ruck-shaft y is actuated by a short crankconnection with the rod t2, which latter is eccentrically attached to the axle D.

The movement of the chambers K is so propoi tioned to that ofthe piston C that the chamber K to be discharged does not pass into conjunction with the chamber A' until the piston C has ceaned out the burned gases and closed the port a. A water-jacket, b b b, surrounds (moreor less) the chambers Kand A', the Water Ahavin g ingress at 14 and egress at l5.

The parts constituting `the case F are held together by threaded bolt's 16, as shown, and the case F is aflixed to the cylinderA by means of horizontal bolts passing/th rough anges on the latter or in any suitable manner.

One difculty heretofore experienced in the use of gas-engines has been the expansion of parts consequent upon the heat generated by the explosion. 1 obviate this by providing an annular recess, 19, outside of the chambers K to permit lateral expansion of such chambers. Between the plate J and the front face ot' the chambers K there is further provided a trailsversespace, 20, to permit the expansion lengthwise of the chambers `K.

'.lo prevent the escapeof the mixture into the last-named space px ior toexplosion, l place the thin plate M (represented 'by the dotted line in Fig. 6) on the pin L and directly in front ofthe chambers K. The plate M has the opening 2l therein for the' passage into chamber A ot' the gases resulting from-explosion.

The plate M does not lill` the space 20, but isv held from rotating by dowel-pins 22, seated in lthe plate M and the adjacent face ofthe plate J. `f'lhe plate M is held adjustably against the face of the chambers K by means of spiral springs23on thedoWel-pins22. Bythismeans the springs 23 yield to any necessary lineal l expansion ofthe chambers K, and yet hold the plate M with suffcient'force against the faces of the Vchambers K to prevent the escape ot' Vthe contents of the latter until in readiness the opening 2l`in the plate M, and place such ring in the recess 25 on the inner `face of the plate J and immediately in front of said opening 21. The outer wall of the recess 25 slopes from the side of tlie ring 24, forming an annular space around the outside of such ring,into which space the explosive material forces itself and presses the ring 24 against the outer i'ace ofthe plate M, thus eiectually closing the space V20 around the opening 21. By my invention I attain an explosion at each revolution of the axle D, and at each outstroke of the piston C, I econornize space and material, and procure a regular and certain action. By the instroke of the piston C the residuum of combustion is certainly and entirely expelled.,

The number of chambers K maybeincreased or diminished'by changingcorrespondingly the movement of the rotating cylinder.

I do Ilot limit myself to the mode precisely as shown of transferring the chambers K to and from conjunction with the chamberA in the cylinder A, for it-is obvious that such chambers may be moved to and.` fro by an oscillatingor reciprocal action, and such chambers K might be seated in the periphery of a wheel having its axis perpendicular to the cylinder A, and by the revolution of suclh Wheel such cham bers K be brought successively into conjunction with the chamber A; but thedistinguishing feature of my invention is iilling a chamber with compressed mixture, transferring such'chamber while thus filled into co'njunction with the chamber A', and removing the chamber first named after its contents are exploded.

The usual governor and adjustable valve can be afxed to the pipe j to regulate the speed.

A supplementary cylinder and piston may be used for drawing in the air and` gas and charging the chambers K, in which case the outer end of the cylinder A could be left open.

What I claim as my invention, and dlesire to secure by Letters Patent ot' the United States,

l. In a gas-engine, one or more rotating explosion-chambers, Kain combination with the cylinderAand piston @,snbstantially as shown, and for the purpose described.

2. The combination, in a gas-engine, ot' a cylinder, A, piston C, and one or more rotatfor receiving the explosive charge, and a plate,

M, in front of such chambers, substantially as shown, and for the purpose sett'orth.

4. In a gas-engine, the combination of the piston C, one or more rotating chambers, K, plate M, tubef, and the'cylinder A, provided with inlet and exhaust ports, as showi1,wheret der shall be coincident with the expulsions from such cylinder ot' the residnuin ot' the next previous combustion, substantially as shown, and for the purpose described.

6. In combination withacylinder, A, having chamber A', the piston O, rotating cylinder H, provided with chambers K, and a plate, M, having` openings N and 21, whereby the front face of such chambers K is sealed except at times of explosion and cleansing, substantially as shown, and for the purpose specitied.

7. In a gas-engine, one or more chambers, K, so arranged as to be loaded with a compressed explosive mixture and brought in conjunction with the chamber A' and Withdrawn therefrom, substantially as shown, and t'or the purpose mentioned.

8. 1n a gas-engine, the combination and arrangement of the inlet-pipes g and h, the cylinder A. the piston C, the tubef, and chamber K, whereby gas and air, at one action of such piston, are drawn into said cylinder A,`and at the reverse action of such piston compressed into thc chamber K through the medium of said tube j', substantially as shown, and for the purpose described.

9. In combination with the rotating cylinder H, the cylinder A, the piston G, axle D, rod e, rock-shaft W, oscillatinglever I), proided with the pawl t, pin L, having the ratchetwheel fw, the inlet-tubes g and L, and communicating-tubef, whereby at each revolution ot' the ax-le D there is alternately drawn into the cylinder A a mixture ot' air and gas, and such mixture compressed in one ot' the chambers K,

V- and the latter brought in conjunction with the chamber A' in the cylinder A and removed 11. Inhar gas-engine, the rotating cylinder H, containing the chambers K, the pin Lathev plate M, provided with the openings Naud 21, the

plate G, having opening N', and the mechan-l ism shown for revolving such pin, in combination, whereby the chambers K are closed while loaded, then rotated intoconjunction with the chamber A', and after the explosion brought into communication with the outer air, substantially as shown, and for the purpose specitied.

12. In a gas-engine, the reciprocating slide S, provided with the transverse port 7, which registers alternately at each end, and the chatinel 6 and vertical port 5, substantially as shown, and for the purpose mentioned.

13. In a gas-engine, the casing 3, havingthe hole 4, vertical port 5, and lateral ports 8 and 1t), substantially as shown, and t'or the purpose described.

14. The combination ot' the casing 3, provided with the hole 4, vertical port 5, and lateral ports 8 and 10, and the reciprocating slide S, provided with the vert-ical port 5',. the channel 6, and the duplex registering-port 7, substantially as shown, and tor the purpose herein named.

D, the cylinder A, provided with the exhaustport yn and inlet j, the piston (l, removable chambers K, mechanism shown'for revolving such chambers, inlet-tubes g and h, andthe communicating-tubef, in combination, whereby the momentum caused by the explosion is employed to expel the burned gases and draw into the cylinder A a fresh charge of the gaseous` mixture, while each outward stroke of such piston compresses a charge ot' such mixture in each succeedii-ng` chamber K, substantially as shown, and for the purpose described. 16. In agas-engine, the casing 3, provided with the hole 4, vertical port 5', and lateral ports 8 and 10, the slide S, provided with the vertical port 5, channel 6, and transverse port 7, and removable chambers K, having;` the firing-port a, in combination, substanfially as shown, and for the purpose mentioned.

IOO

17. In agas-engine, the combination of a movable chamber, K, to receive a compressed charge of explosive gaseous mixture and trailst'er the same so compressed to a motor-cylinder, and a cylinder and piston to charge such chamber with said mixture, in the manner substantially as shown, and for the purpose men-v tioned.

In testimony whereof I aftix my signaturein presence ot' two witnesses.

JUHN CHARTER.'

Witnesses FRANZ BURGER, JOHN W. ALEXANDER.

IIO 

